Say it, Teacher

Luke 7:40 (ESV)
And Jesus answering said to him, "Simon, I have something to say to you." And he answered, "Say it, Teacher."

“Say it, Teacher.” I love that. I once heard a hushed Amen brother when I was preaching, a Methodist pastor was visiting . He was in the back, and I heard it, so perhaps it wasn’t too hushed. Lutheran’s just don’t do that sort of thing, not often anyway. Perhaps you get a “why don’t you tell it like it is?” after the sermon. I got that once too, just after preaching to a bunch of high school kids, leaving the teachers with dropped jaws, and the students in shock for the graphic detail with which I honed in on sexual sin. Tomorrow I’m preaching at the school again, but there haven’t been any mothers asking me to address sexual licentiousness recently, and the gospel lesson is different. But the sermon did what it was supposed to, and the principle told me that even up to three weeks later he could ask the students to break the sermon down and they got every part of it, the law and the gospel. So I guess I earned it.
“Say it, Teacher.” Those are the words of a disciple, waiting with eager anticipation to hear what his teacher has to say. It is doubtful that this Simon was the one later named Peter, but it is actually the name of the Pharisee who invited Jesus. Yet, he wants to hear. He seems to be answering with some excitement. “Say it Teacher.” It is after all why Jesus is invited to his house, the man wants to hear, wants to learn. Whether we should or shouldn’t be that expressive during a regular sermon, is perhaps debatable. But the eager anticipation that comes as one delves deeper and deeper into the gospel and all that Jesus has to say to us, well that is something all of us disciples baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit can expect to receive from his word.